Scotland snatch redemption from jaws of relegation as former flatmates combine to keep Nations League fate in own hands

A place among the pot two teams relies on other results. As it stands, Scotland are likely to be in pot three but that shouldn’t take away from a thrilling victory in Warsaw after a late goal – two minutes into added time – from Andy Robertson on his 80th cap.

The skipper bulleted a header beyond Lucasz Skorupski to ensure Scotland lifted themselves into third place in the group, thus avoiding slipping into the tier below. That might yet be their fate, but they can extend their League A lifeline in a play-off in the Spring.

If results go as expected on Tuesday, Scotland will be third seeds when it comes to drawing qualifying groups for North America in 2026, which is where Steve Clarke will want to end his time as manager. It will be an achievement for the ages simply to get there. These recent months after a dire Euro 2024 have provided plenty of hope, whoever Scotland are drawn against.

After all, the Poles are no slouches, particularly in their own backyard. Maybe their players were lining up for selfies with Ben Doak after this. Or perhaps it was Billy Gilmour who was batting off the attention.

This might have been a cup final but forget about any caginess. End-to-end just about covers it, but while Poland had their chances in the opening half, with Craig Gordon performing heroics, it was Scotland who claimed the opening goal after only three minutes through John McGinn and came close to adding two more.

It was feared McGinn’s international year might have peaked on a stage in a village in Bavaria with a spot of German folk dancing. However, he has firmly put behind him a series of under-par performances in a Scotland jersey, most notably at Euro 2024, to fire in his 19th and 20th Scotland goals in two successive victories. They have both been typical John McGinn goals, with his latest, following more thrilling wing play from Doak, meaning he is now just two goals short of Hibs legend Lawrie Reilly in third place in the all-time Scotland list. 

What it meant more immediately was that Scotland had put themselves in a position where they were doing what they had to do to avoid automatic relegation and perhaps – perhaps – even finish in second place. The early goal piled the pressure on the hosts and proved why Clarke was only being a tease when he suggested he might not play Doak from the start. Played in by an artful ball from Gilmour, the winger showed presence of mind to pull the back for McGinn to convert with a well-controlled shot into the corner. It made things worse for Poland.

The home team were already riven by the discord erupting after skipper Piotr Zielinski was among those filmed pestering Cristiano Ronaldo for a photograph on Friday, following the 5-1 defeat to Portugal.

The Poles did actually threaten first. Sebastian Szymanski got in behind the defence on the left but Robertson was quickly across to mop up in the stadium where he won the first of what is now 80 caps. The skipper marked this landmark occasion by posting one of his finest recent performances, topped off by his first goal since Clarke’s opening game in charge.

He had already come close to scoring in the first half. This was after a move involving a prolonged spell of Scotland passing that might well have been ornamented by a goal, and certainly deserved to be. Scott McTominay’s shot cannoned back off the post before Robertson’s effort from the rebound was deflected past. The Napoli midfielder pounced on McGinn lay-off but saw Skorupski brilliantly tip onto the woodwork.

It was the second time the Narodowy stadium had echoed to the sound of ball whacking off the frame of the goal at this end of the stadium. Gilmour so nearly scored a goal that might have given James McFadden’s strike in the Parc des Princes 17 years ago a run for its money in the spectacular stakes. He took possession after Robertson’s pass inside and let fly from well over 25 yards. Skorupski watched the ball sail over his head and then bash down off the bar and out again.

Of course, there were some close shaves for Poland as well to lament. Karol Swiderski should have equalised rather than find the side netting following a defensive mix up while the same player was foiled by a fine block from Gordon after getting in behind the visiting backline again.

Early in the second half John Souttar underlined why he’s quickly becoming Scotland’s first-choice centre-back with a goalline block.

Given the see-saw nature of the game, it was no surprise to see Scotland almost score at the other end a couple of minutes later – McGinn’s low cross had to be put behind by Jakub Kiwior with Lyndon Dykes lurking.

The near miss was made to seem doubly frustrating when Polish defender Kamil Piatkowski arrowed into the top corner just prior to the hour mark from Zielinksi’s pass. McGinn’s flying attempt to block was in vain, as was Gordon’s on the goalline.

Scotland recovered and Dykes saw his header clawed out by Skorupski, before he almost immediately made way for Lawrence Shankland. Was it set up for the Hearts striker to end his recent drought in stunning fashion? No, not quite. The storyline was even more exhilarating, a far post header from Robertson which was powered into the roof of the net after former Dundee United flatmate Souttar’s fine cross.